Only 5% of plantation owners implemented housing scheme

By S Rutra - Free Malaysia Today,

FMT FOCUS KUALA LUMPUR: Only five percent of plantation owners had implemented the housing scheme for estate workers under the Tun Razak House Ownership Scheme since it was introduced in 1973.
Parti Sosialis Malaysia secretary-general S Arutchelvan blamed the government for failing to implement stricter laws to ensure that these companies comply with the policy initiated by the second prime minister.
Instead of making it mandatory, he said the government chose to leave it to the discretion of the plantation owners.
"There is no political will to solve the issue, even though in the 1970s itself, the plantation community was recognised as part of the poverty group," he told FMT.
The PSM leader was responding to a recent report in FMT on the plight of estate workers in Hulu Selangor, where some were found to be earning as low as RM33 a month after deductions.
According to Arutchelvan, an independent study carried out by Universiti Malaya found that it will not hurt the plantation industry if a minimum wage policy is implemented.
He said that the findings of the study, sponsored by the Malaysian Agriculture Producers Association (Mapa), was never released despite pressure from various groups.
“The government refuses to compel the plantation owners to implement the minimum wage policy and indirectly allows them to rely on foreign workers,” he said.
As for the National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW), Arutchelvan said the union lacks the bargaining power.
"Mapa had the upper hand during negotiations on the minimum wage structure,” he said, adding that the influx of foreign workers is also posing a major problem for NUPW.
There was once, Arutchelvan said, when the plantation sector fell under the purview of the Rural Development Ministry and estate workers could receive assistance similar to those received by Felda settlers.
"The welfare of plantation workers is now with the Human Resources Ministry, where the ministry continues to blame the plantation owners,” he added.
Political will is important
The PSM leader pointed out that many plantations are owned by Pemodalan Nasional Bhd, Amanah Saham Nasional and Amanah Saham Bumputera, and “the government is their indirect boss”.
“Sadly, I have heard the argument from Sime Darby that they are owned by poor Malay peasants and fishermen because they hold shares in ASN and ASB,” he said.
“This is nonsense as Sime Darby is one of the richest companies in the country with international reputation. They represent capitalist interest and are profit-oriented. How can they take care of the workers?" he asked.
On Pakatan Rakyat's effort to address this issue, Aruselvan said the Selangor government must formulate new rules to protect the plantation workers.
"If Pakatan shows political will and implements this, it will pressure Barisan Nasional states to take similar steps.
“There must be real political will and people like (newly elected Hulu Selangor MP) P Kamalanathan should push for minimum wage, government-aided schools and so on instead of just giving out goodies during elections,” he added.